Rapper Taboo of Black Eyed Peas fame has revealed that he’s been secretly battling cancer. The 41-year old rapper recounted how he was diagnosed with stage 2 testicular cancer in June 2014 .

He tells People “It all started with a pain in my back and abdomen. I was so busy working that I wasn’t worried about it, but I went to the emergency room to get checked out.” The test result revealed that Taboo had stage 2 testicular cancer.

“The very next day I went into surgery to have the mother ship removed, but my fight had just begun. My family and the group were all in shock, but (bandmate) will.i.am instantly reached out to a great doctor who helped me figure out a treatment plan. I was racing against the clock.” He had to undergo 12 weeks of “intense, aggressive” chemotherapy.
“There were times that I wanted to give up, but I became inspired by sports figures who have gone through similar battles. I began channeling my energy into the thing that keeps me alive and spirited: music,” he says. “I wanted to share my story and inspire others like those who had inspired me.” He began writing lyrics about his cancer battle.